MarkyG's Issues Over The Rainbow

It's a Queer as Folk reunion on Issues Over the Rainbow as MarkyG welcomes Thea Gill and Michelle Clunie, the actresses behind one of television's most groundbreaking lesbian couples, Lindsay and Melanie! The two stars open up about their incredible on-screen chemistry, their close friendship off camera, the challenges of portraying a same-sex relationship on television, and what's ahead for their characters in Season 4. Plus, MarkyG introduces the brand-new Q-Factor roundtable, featuring a lively debate about gay marriage, civil unions, and the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Psychotherapist Mark Rutherford explores why couples repeatedly break up and get back together, while the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival takes center stage with exciting screenings and special events. Add celebrity gossip, South Florida nightlife, and MarkyG's outspoken commentary on politics and finding common ground, and you've got another unforgettable trip Over the Rainbow! Original airdate: April 25, 2004.

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It's Queer as Folk Month on Issues Over the Rainbow, and MarkyG is celebrating with more exclusive, candid conversations with the cast of Showtime's groundbreaking hit series! As Season 4 premieres, the stars open up about their characters, relationships, LGBTQ representation on television, and the importance of speaking out and getting politically involved. The ladies of Chick Chat also get up close and personal with Thea Gill and Michelle Clunie, who dish on Melanie and Lindsay's relationship, their memorable on-screen moments, and what they hope lies ahead for the couple. Plus, MarkyG gets the inside scoop on the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, including its opening-night feature Straight-Jacket, while the Rainbow World Update tackles the battle for marriage equality in Massachusetts and Florida. There's also advice on bisexuality and relationships, a look at discrimination facing gay students, and a spirited MarkyG Speaks commentary on politics, religion, and finding common ground. It's a fascinating, funny, and revealing trip back to 2004, when LGBTQ television, culture, and civil rights were making headlines! Original airdate: April 18, 2004.

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This week on MarkyG’s Issues Over the Rainbow, it’s a wild trip back to South Florida’s LGBTQ+ scene in 2004, when Queer as Folk was about to launch its fourth season, same-sex marriage was becoming one of the biggest battles in America, and gay culture was exploding into the mainstream. MarkyG gets the scoop on the upcoming Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, including opening-night film Straight-Jacket and an appearance by the fabulous Miss Coco Peru, then previews AIDS Walk Miami and a South Florida Drag King competition featuring legendary performer Murray Hill. Things get even better when the Chick Chat girls sit down with Thea Gill and Michelle Clunie from Queer as Folk for a funny, candid conversation about their characters, the show’s enormous impact on lesbian viewers, life behind the scenes—and Michelle’s newly dyed “punk orange” hair! Plus, the show revisits the battle over marriage equality as Massachusetts prepared for legal same-sex marriages and South Florida activists organized their own marriage-equality march. It’s funny, provocative, outrageous and occasionally very serious—another fascinating snapshot of LGBTQ+ life, entertainment and activism from a moment when history was changing fast. Original airdate: April 11, 2004.

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This week on Issues Over the Rainbow with MarkyG, legendary actress Sharon Gless joins MarkyG for a candid, funny and revealing conversation about playing the outrageous, red-haired Debbie Novotny on Showtime’s groundbreaking Queer as Folk. Sharon shares how she actively pursued the role, where she found the inspiration for Debbie’s unforgettable look and personality, why she immediately knew the controversial series was something she wanted to be part of, and what it meant to play the outspoken “mom” to an entire community. She also reflects on the LGBTQ+ audiences who embraced her from Cagney & Lacey through Queer as Folk and why she believes speaking up can make a difference. Then MarkyG turns up the heat with a provocative question: Are gay people “too gay”—or are some gay people uncomfortable with those who fit familiar stereotypes? From Queer as Folk and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to masculinity, femininity, coming out and embracing the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, MarkyG challenges listeners to think about stereotypes from both inside and outside the community. Plus, the show tackles LGBTQ+ youth suicide, AIDS Walk Miami, drag kings, entertainment news and more in another packed trip back through LGBTQ+ culture and history. Original airdate: April 4, 2004.

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This week on MarkyG's Issues Over the Rainbow, it's a star-studded trip back to a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ pop culture as MarkyG celebrates PrideFest and gets ready to kick off Queer as Folk Month after partying with Sharon Gless, Randy Harrison, Hal Sparks, Scott Lowell and more of the show's cast in South Beach. Then MarkyG welcomes Lorna Luft, daughter of legendary gay icon Judy Garland, for a candid and surprisingly personal conversation about growing up in one of Hollywood's most famous families, her relationship with her mother and sister Liza Minnelli, raising her own children, and why being a parent matters more than being your child's best friend. Lorna also shares her heartfelt thoughts about how she would respond if one of her children came out as gay, saying that what matters is raising loving, productive and good human beings—not the labels we put on them. Plus, the gang talks Pride, entertainment, a couple preparing to travel to Canada to marry, and the LGBTQ+ political battles dominating the headlines at the time. It's funny, outspoken, nostalgic and sometimes remarkably poignant—a fascinating snapshot of gay life, entertainment and equality in the early 2000s. Original airdate: March 28, 2004.

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This week on Issues Over The Rainbow, MarkyG serves up another wild, funny and surprisingly poignant snapshot of LGBTQ+ life in South Florida. Fresh off an emotional PrideFest—where thousands joined hands for three minutes of silence in solidarity for equality and dignity—MarkyG turns the spotlight on the fight to protect LGBTQ+ students, PrideFest in Palm Beach and the battle for marriage equality, including the more than 1,000 federal rights and benefits gay couples were being denied at the time. But don't worry, there's plenty of outrageous fun too! Psychotherapist Mark Rutherford tackles a listener's complicated three-person relationship—or “truple”—while gay improv duo The Oops Guys bring their anything-goes brand of comedy to the studio. Then Joe Posa drops by as Joan Rivers to dish about Guys as Dolls, the over-the-top stage show featuring celebrity impersonations from Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli to Cher, J-Lo and Britney Spears. Plus, Chick Chat gets personal with two women preparing to marry in Canada, and MarkyG closes with a touching story about how his teenage daughter confronted anti-gay hatred online—not with more hate, but with compassion—and actually changed someone's mind. It's hilarious, heartfelt and a fascinating reminder of how far the LGBTQ+ community has come...and the voices that helped push it forward. Original airdate: March 21, 2004

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How far would you go to turn back the clock? On this classic episode of Issues Over The Rainbow, MarkyG welcomes board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deborah Longwill for a revealing—and very funny—look at the booming world of cosmetic dermatology. From Botox, collagen and Restylane to lasers and Thermage, the then-hot new non-surgical facelift that MarkyG personally puts to the test, Dr. Longwill explains the treatments people were turning to in their quest to look younger. But it's not all about vanity: she also tackles the serious side of skin health, including sun damage, melanoma, skin-cancer screenings and why protecting your skin today can make a major difference tomorrow. Plus, the gang takes on body image and self-acceptance in the gay community, keeping the spark alive in long-term relationships, PrideFest and Winter Party, and The L Word star Karina Lombard returns for a hilariously uninhibited Chick Chat. It's another outrageous snapshot of LGBTQ+ life, health, relationships and pop culture from the early 2000s. Original airdate: March 14, 2004

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Turn up the beat and head back to South Florida’s legendary dance-music scene as MarkyG presents a special Winter Music Conference edition of Issues Over The Rainbow! With Winter Music Conference and Ultra taking over Miami, MarkyG celebrates the powerful influence gay artists, performers and audiences have had on dance music and club culture. The show features rising dance artist Kenny, who tells the hilarious story of sneaking his way past security at Party 93.1 to get his music heard before eventually landing in the spotlight himself, along with dance artist and producer Oba Frank Lords, who talks about his huge gay following, club anthem “Dark Beat” and his new dance interpretation of “Personal Jesus.” MarkyG also checks in on PrideFest South Florida, featuring a packed day of entertainment including recording artist Amber and Brady Bunch legend Florence Henderson, and previews Winter Party, where partying with a purpose raises money for LGBTQ+ organizations throughout South Florida. It’s a high-energy blast from the past filled with dance-floor anthems, gay nightlife, Pride, celebrity appearances and a fascinating snapshot of LGBTQ+ culture when South Florida’s club scene was absolutely on fire. Original airdate: March 7, 2004.

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This week on Issues Over The Rainbow, MarkyG rolls out the rainbow carpet for a special Oscars edition packed with Hollywood predictions, South Florida happenings, and plenty of outrageous conversation. Entertainment diva Mary Damiano joins MarkyG to handicap the Academy Awards, debating everything from Best Actor and Actress to Best Picture, Director and Song, while listeners get their own shot at Oscar glory. But there's much more than movies: Richard Simic and Scott Holland preview PrideFest South Florida and look back at its roots in the fight against Anita Bryant's anti-gay campaign and the continuing struggle for equality. Youth outreach correspondent Joshua Johnson investigates the notorious "sex bracelet" craze and delivers an important reminder about consent; psychotherapist Mark Rutherford tackles the fine art of flirting, gaydar and what to do when that cute stranger at the mall looks back; and the ladies of Chick Chat debate a listener's complicated question about sexual attraction versus emotional connection. It's Hollywood, Pride, sex, relationships and South Florida gay life served up the way only MarkyG can—bold, funny and completely over the rainbow. Original airdate: March 7, 2004.

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It’s time for one of pop music’s most colorful, unforgettable and beloved icons! This week on Issues Over The Rainbow, MarkyG features the one and only Cyndi Lauper. Along with Cyndi, MarkyG and the crew revisit some favorite moments from the show, including a powerful conversation about coming out and how one person’s courage can inspire others, a look ahead at PrideFest, relationship and workplace advice about stereotypes and sexuality, Chick Chat, and Mary’s Red Carpet Report with the latest entertainment buzz. It’s music, celebrity, LGBTQ+ life, laughs and plenty of attitude in a special edition of Issues Over The Rainbow with MarkyG! Original airdate: February 22, 2004

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